SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6231

As of February 5, 2004

Title: An act relating to prohibiting smoking in public places.

Brief Description: Prohibiting smoking in public places.

Sponsors: Senators Franklin and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 2/6/04.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

Background: State law prohibits smoking in public places, except in designated smoking areas. The law describes public places as that portion of any building or vehicle used by or open to the public, regardless of who owns it and whether or not a fee is charged for entry.

The law further describes certain places that may not have designated smoking areas, such as elevators, buses, museums, classrooms, seating areas, aisles in concert halls, theaters, and indoor sports arenas. Current law also specifically allows bars, restaurants, taverns, bowling alleys, and tobacco shops to be smoking areas in their entirety.

The Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) regulates tobacco smoke in office settings. Smoking is prohibited under WISHA in all office work sites except in specifically designated smoking rooms. Company cafeterias, meeting rooms, and other ancillary office work sites must be smoke free.

Summary of Bill: Designated smoking areas in public places are prohibited. This prohibition includes restaurants, bars, taverns and bowling alleys.

Maximum civil penalties for violations of smoking prohibitions by owners of public places are a warning for the first violation, a fine of not more than $100 for the second violation and a fine of not more than $500 for each additional violation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.